Q: I'm writing for a friend, who is at her wits end keeping her young husky in the yard. She has a large fenced-in yard, but the dog actually climbs up and over the fence. So far he hasn't gone anywhere but to the front door, but she is of course, very concerned. Any suggestions for keeping him in the yard? I suggested she catch him in the act and use a "coin can" to startle him out of the behavior. She really doesn't want to have him chained up in the fenced in yard - the whole idea of the fence was to give him more freedom when he's out.

A: I have a breed that is prone to getting out of a fence if left outside without owner supervision. My own solution is to supervise my dogs whenever they are outside within my fenced yard. As a result, they have never gone over, under or through the fence--they haven't had a chance to think of it. If my dogs are outside, my back door is open and I'm near it.

If your friend is not willing to supervise the dog at all times when he's outside, you could add another barrier out there, such as a hot wire, if that is allowed in your area, or an electronic fence. Both of these options mean shocking the dog, which can lead to complications. If she goes for an electronic fence, it needs to be one of the expensive ones that includes training. I'm not a fan of these devices, but the most reasonable use for them is in a situation like this, to back up a real fence with a wandering dog.

Neutering the dog might help a little, and needs to be done by age one year for best results. It won't solve a problem that is already established, though. This behavior is highly rewarded by the fun the dog has when it gets outside the fence. Once it starts, it's hard to stop. It needs to be made physically impossible for the dog to do it.

Chaining the dog up is not a good idea. It is extremely risky for the dog's temperament, even if the dog seems fine with it for awhile. By the time the owner sees increased aggression, the damage may have already been done. Tying a dog out should only be a temporary solution, and only when the owner is right there with the dog.

I hope this helps. The best hope for a fence-jumping dog is an indoor lifestyle, never outside without the owner. Otherwise, this problem is a serious threat to the dog's longevity.